1863 – Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, City Quay, Dublin

Built originally as a chapel of ease to St. Andrews, Westland Row, the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary became a parish church in 1908. Built to a design by John Bourke, but the spire was added to design of John Loftus Robinson in 1890. It became known as the Docker’s Church, catering for the seamen and dockers working on the adjacent quays. The interior has an open span roof and a Calvary scene reputedly by William Pearse. The pews feature brass plates dedicated to past parishioners.

“RECENTLY we announced that a large church was proposed to be erected on the City-quay, where, as most of our readers are aware, there is a very densely populated locality, chiefly inhabited by the lower classes — coal heavers, seamen, &c. The Rev. Mr. McCann, a curate in the parochial church of St. Michan’s, undertakes out of his private purse to supply the requisite funds for the erection of a commodious structure for the requirements of so large a congregation, and the building was actually progressing, according to plans obtrusively furnished by a builder in this city, when some differences relative to the contract arose, and the works were temporarily suspended. Fortunately, therefore, the perpetration of as ugly, unsuitable, and barn-like a church as ever was built in the wildest district in Ireland was thereby prevented, and the services of Mr. Bourke, architect, being subsequently obtained, a new design, of which the following are particulars, was decided upen.

Instead of a long ill-proportioned parallelogramic block, with walls some fifty feet high, a flat ceiling, and a distorted portico, surmounted by what some, drawing largely upon their imagination, might term “a pediment,” and other monstrosities, as shown on the first designs (save the mark), the plans will now comprise nave, chancel, side chapels, sacristy, and porch, and the elevation, of Gothic design, simple but effective, will at once proclaim the purpose of the structure. The general dimensions of nave are 130 feet by 34 feet in the width, the height to apex of roof, which is of open timber work, being 51 feet. Towards the quay the elevation will present a gabled end with pyramidal pitch, two moulded entrance doors, and a five-light lancet window, the chancel at opposite end being lighted by a three-light window. A belfry rising to a height of 85 feet will form a prominent feature. On the 24th ult, the corner stone was laid by the most Rev. Dr.nCullen.” The Irish Builder, October 1, 1861